Advanced On-Chip Voltage Regulator IP for Chiplets and SoCs

Movellus has introduced a new dynamic voltage regulator IP aimed at providing enhanced control over complex system-on-chip devices and chiplets. This innovative technology, known as Aeonic Power, builds upon existing clock and sensing telemetry IP to offer granular control of voltage via regulators across different blocks. The primary goal is to reduce power consumption, manage the thermal envelope, and address aging issues within these advanced semiconductor devices.

According to Vikram Karvat, the chief operating officer at Movellus, the company has transitioned from focusing solely on clocking and sensors to now incorporating power management into their offerings. This integrated approach is crucial for building a robust infrastructure around the logic of a system-on-chip (SoC) design. The IP is predominantly digital, with scalability ranging from 40nm down to the latest 3nm processes, ensuring process independence.

One of the key challenges addressed by the dynamic voltage regulators is the limitation on the number of voltage regulators that can be integrated onto a board and the complexity of power delivery networks, especially in 3D chiplet designs. By implementing on-die dynamic voltage regulation, Movellus enables precise power regulation for every constituent element, thereby optimizing performance and efficiency.

The dynamic voltage regulators also offer the advantage of creating virtual power islands to mitigate static IR drop issues. By coupling these regulators with adaptive digital clocking, significant energy savings of up to 15% can be achieved. This approach allows for a more efficient distribution of power across different blocks within the chip, enhancing overall performance.

Furthermore, the IP is designed to cater to chiplets and 3D IC designs, incorporating die-to-die (D2D) power delivery as defined in the UCIe specification. Unlike traditional low drop-out regulators (LDOs), Movellus' voltage regulator blocks can handle multiple amps with high accuracy, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including tiled processors and data center chips.